December reviews

from the Albert Park club:

The hidden monastery by Gabrielle Wang 

It is about a boy who has a birthmark in the shape of a monster and he needs to find out what it means.  On his journey he comes across a monastery in a forest.  While in there an evil cloud comes closer threatening to destroy him and the monastery.  I liked the book but not the best book I’ve read.  For an older reader 10+

Reviewed by Ava  -  4.5 stars

Ava and Simone also recommend The garden of Empress Cassia by Gabrielle Wang.  It is about a girl who starts at a new school and is picked on from a Chinese background but finds that she loves drawing especially with a special box of crayons.  One of the girls is jealous and steals them from her.  This book is really good even though we had to read it for school. 

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto 

It is about 3 angels who go to earth to stop evil forces from taking over a town.  Bethany falls in love with a boy, which angels shouldn't do as their identities will be revealed.  There is also a demon in the town disguised as a boy - Jake Thorn.  Has a bit of a weird ending.  Part 2 not available until late next year.  For 12 – 16 year olds as it is more of a teenage book.

Reviewed by Simone  -  3.9 stars

Tashi by Anna Fienberg

Tashi is sold by his parents to a warlord because they are very poor.  A swan finds Tashi while he is crying and saves him.  The swan flies him to Australia where he meets a boy named Jack.  I like the book but I don’t think I will read any other Tashi books.

Reviewed by Alex  -  4 stars

Playing with fire : Skulduggery Pleasant, bk. 2 by Derek Landy

It is about a girl named Stephanie whose uncle, who was a writer, dies.  She goes with her family and Skulduggery Pleasant to the reading of his will.  Skulduggery later reveals himself as a skeleton.  At first this scares Stephanie but later they go on adventures together trying to stop an evil character called Nefarian Serpine from taking over the world.  It’s pretty good but no book will ever be 100% perfect.  For those 10+ - "it's a bit scary!"

Reviewed by Emma  -  4.999 stars!

The changeling by Sean Williams

This is about a boy named Ros who lives on an isolated farm with his family.  The family are in difficulty as there have been years of drought.  He becomes convinced that his parents want to sacrifice him to try to bring rain and makes his escape.  With his new invisible friend Escher he goes on an adventure and discovers he has magic powers called ‘the change’.  But who is Escher and can he trust the people and creatures he meets?  This is a really exciting book with action and mystery. I couldn't put it down and I can’t wait to read the next book in this 3 part series.  It is fantasy fiction but should appeal to everyone.

Reviewed by Kerstin  -  5 out of 5 stars!!

The magician's elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Peter Augustus Duchene, an orphan, goes to a fortune teller and is told that an elephant will help him find his sister. He is stunned.  Firstly there is no elephant in town and he believes he is all alone in the world.  When a magician’s trick goes wrong and instead of a bunch of flowers an elephant comes crashing through the roof of the opera house his whole life as he knew it is turned upside down.  I just wanted to keep on reading this book even when I had other things to do.  Kate DiCamillo's description of the town and the people in it really draws you in, I could really visualise what everything looked like and how it felt.  I loved this book!

Reviewed by Kerstin  -  5 out of 5 stars again!!






and from the St Kilda club:

True stories of the strange & unknown by John Pinkney

A few stories about psychic people and UFO’s, strange stuff, and even a Yeti. A lot of good stories.

Reviewed by Jonathan  -  4.9 reallys

The Heaven shop by Deborah Ellis

This is about a girl who’s father runs a coffin shop called "the coffin shop". Her father dies from AIDS. She becomes an orphan along with her brother and sister. They are separated by their very mean uncle and aunties.

This was a very good book when you thought about it afterwards. You realised that actually quite a lot was happening after all.

Reviewed by Daniel  -  3.9 reallys

Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets by J. K. Rowling

"This is the second time I've read it - and I'm halfway through it again!"

About a boy who goes to a school called Hogwarts where there are frightening messages on the walls, and a potion called polyjuice.

Reviewed by Georgia  -  5 reallys

Percy Jackson and the Lightning thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson is a normal kid who finds out his mythology teacher is a centaur. His maths teacher who is filling in is a Fury (winged monster).

Reviewed by Liam  -  5 reallys

Clean break by Jacqueline Wilson

It’s about a girl called Emily (or Em). It's Christmas day and her father buys her an emerald ring and her brother Max an artists set and felt tipped pens. Her stepfather gives her a puppet called Dancer. On New Years eve Em asks her stepdad to not go away and he says “your wish is my command” - but on New Years eve he gets a phone call from Sara (who has very  short hair). On New Years day he has already gone. After a few days of school dad picks all the children up, but he hasn’t asked the mother. He takes them to fun parks. The story goes over a whole year.

Reviewed by Lilly  -  4.9 reallys

Hit list by Jack Heath

Two people go searching for things – a guy gives them a list of 100 things they have to steal. The guy gets 10% and they get 80% of sales. A ghost tries to steal one person. "Murderously good".

Reviewed by Max  -  5 reallys

The talent thief by Alex Williams

"Of course, the parents die and they become orphans." This is about an 11 year old boy, Adam, and his big sister Cressida, or Cress. She’s a great singer and gets invited to a talent show. Youth come from all around the world. The trip is about 53 hours - 24 hrs on a seaplane, 24 hours on a train, 5’ish hours in a car to get to Hotel Peretus and when they get there Cressida’s room is really good, leather armchairs larger than a king size bed – massive, humungous room. Adam’s room is on the roof in a shed. The bed has sticking out spokes. The window looks out on a nuclear plant so there is just smoke for a view. It is just a small cube. When you go downstairs for dinner in the dining room a person spies Adam and gives him the evil eye. Adam had not really been invited.

Reviewed by Noah  -  5 reallys

The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley

This is the story about 2 children who are orphans. They’ve been sent to lots of foster parents but they run away because the parents are really mean. Finally they get to go to their grandmother where they are fed strange food like green meatballs and black spaghetti made of octopus ink.

Reviewed by Oriana  -  5 reallys

Reviews from St. Kilda for November

Reviewed by Charlie:

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

This is the first in a series of 5 books, and Charlie felt that, compared to some, this has more depth in the storyline; it covers magic and combat, however, it's not always about the physical - i.e. fighting. He even liked the character of Serpine the Bad One!

Recommended for those 9-15 years of age - or anyone who likes magic!

5 reallys




Reviewed by Jonathan:

Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

Jonathan loves Artemis Fowl - he finds the character "a genius, and witty"!

Artemis frequently uses high-tech magic to mastermind brilliant and devious criminal activity in the new century. The action takes place in Iceland where Artemis has gathered the fairies to present his idea to save the world from global warming, however there is a noticeable change in Artemis - for some reason he is very nice. The fairies come to the conclusion that Artemis is suffereing from "Atlantis Complex", an obsessive compulsive disorder - i.e. dabbling in magic has damaged his mind.

Fairy Captain Holly Short is at a loss as to what to do. She needs Artemis as a crisis is occurring because the subterranean volcanoes are under attack from vicious robots and Artemis cannot fight them. Captain Holly needs to get Artemis back to normal before the robot probes destroy every human life and life-form. Can she succeed?

Definitely not boring! Reminds Jonathan of a Catherine Jinx novel - Evil genius - and he loves the language. Takes some time to get into it, as it is a bit repetitious in the beginning, but knew it would end well. He recommends persevering with it, especially if you have never read any of the "Artemis Fowl" works!

Recommended for those 9+.

4.98 reallys



Reviewed by Antonia:

White crane, bk. 1 of the Samurai kids series by Sandy Fussell

Antonia loves most Asian novels, especially ones that involve myths, superstitions - especially where they weave the story in with the history and culture of the countries such as Japanese and Chinese. She loved the way that this particular novel mixes magic and fighting - martial arts - yet reveals an interesting history and culture.

This is set in feudal Japan. It's main character is Niya Moto, whose aim is to be trained in the ways of the Samurai, however, as he has a disability, i.e. one leg, none of the schools want to take him on.

When a letter of offer arrives from the famous Samurai warrior Ki-Yaga, Sensei of the Cockroach Ryu, Niya is able to join, along with four other students who have their own barriers of some sort, and all can learn the traditional Samurai skills. In time they become firm friends.

It is the first book in a unique series set in feudal Japan.

Recommended for those 9-15 years.

4.75 reallys

Reviewed by Daniel:

Magic thief by Sarah Prineas

Main character is Connwaer who is an orphan gutter boy and "thief of the twilight" in a desolate part of the City of Wellmet. He steals from a wizard - a special stone called a "locus magicalicus" stone. Because he has stolen this stone, Connwaer would normally have died, however, to the amazement of the wizard, Connwaer has not died. The wizard takes on Connwaer as his apprentice. Together they try to work their magic and save the City of Wellmet.

Daniel described the book as being well developed in storyline and characters. Good for developed readers. It's part of a trilogy.

4.9 reallys



Reviewed by Noah:

Diary of a wimpy kid by Jeff Kinney

Noah loved it for its humour - it made him laugh all the time (he was given the book as a birthday present). This is a series done through cartoons, done more like a journal. The main character is Greg, who is a bit of a loner at school, and from the storyline about the character seems to be laughed at by the more popular kids at school. Mum seems to want to organize the family so that they have fun, outdoor activities etc.

Noah liked it because it's not done in chapters as such, it's short sections. He just loved the humour that came out of it.

Recommended for those 10+

5 reallys

Reviews from Albert Park - October

The very bad book by Andy Griffiths

This has lots of ‘bad’ stories and riddles eg: Goldilocks but with a twist. It is very funny and easy to read. Recommend to anyone between about 7-12

4 ½ stars

Reviewed and rated by Stephanie

Feather and bone by Lazlo Strangolov

The book was a bit gruesome. It is about a chicken farm that has been shut down for a long time, but now has mysteriously re-opened and is operating again and no-one knows why. Kamil and his friend Flory investigate why it’s running but without any chickens. It’s a bit weird, recommend for over 10’s.

4 ½ stars

Reviewed and rated by Simone

Sophie’s world by Jostein Gaarder

It is Sophie’s journey into Western philosophy. A bit challenging, I have to go back over and re-read parts or stop and think about what it means. I haven’t finished yet but will keep reading it. It is an adult book so recommend for older readers about 10 and over.

Reviewed and rated by Emma (no score yet still reading book)

Catching fire: the hunger games, book 2 by Suzanne Collins

This is the second book in The Hunger Games series and Katniss is now into the second round of the games where people are reluctantly forced to participate in. The same rules as in the first kill or face death! For 10+

4 ¾ stars

Reviewed and rated by Ava

Boy vs Beast

Boy vs Beast is by the same concept creators of Zac Power. Kai Masters has to battle various monsters and must choose the right weapon to fight them with. I really liked the book. For over 6’s .

5 stars

Reviewed and rated by Matthew

Utterly me, Clarice Bean by Lauren Child

Clarice’s friend doesn’t like her anymore, so Clarice does things to make her like her again. Also at home Clarice has a new baby brother who she doesn’t like.

4 ½ stars

Reviewed and rated by Riley

The tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

About a mouse named Despereaux Tilling born with extremely large ears, all of his brothers and sisters think he is very strange. One of the rules that all mice have to follow is to not talk to humans. But Despereaux discovers that there are two people he likes talking to, this makes him different to the other mice.

5 stars

Reviewed and rated by Alex

The Milly-Molly-Mandy storybook by Joyce Lankester Brisley

Milly-Molly-Mandy has lots of friends a big family and lots of adventures. This book has the whole series in it.

5 stars

Reviewed and rated by Charlotte

House of many ways by Diana Wynne Jones

It is about a girl named Charmaine who goes to look after her great-uncle's house. Her uncle has to go away because he is sick, he is also a wizard. From the outside the house appears to only have two rooms but with magic has much more. She also gets to work in a king's library. For 9+.

5 stars

Reviewed and rated by Emma

A Stone in my hand by Cathryn Clinton

Malaak is eleven years old and lives in Gaza. The year is 1988 during the first Intifada. Her father disappears while searching for work in Israel which traumatises the family. With her mother in stress and older brother succumbing to extremism, Malaak retreats speaking to no-one. She only finds solace with a dove named Abdo who she has tamed. If the family is to survive and her brother kept away from violence it is up to Malaak to stop him.

5 stars

Reviewed and rated by Kerstin


This book review set off discussion about similar books that the kids had read - all which had to be read for school but which they enjoyed and kept reading even when they didn’t have to.

Parvana by Deborah Ellis

Parvana lives in Afghanistan and after her father disappears, she has to dress up as a boy so she can earn money for her family. Under the Taliban women are unable to leave the house unless they are with a male relative. She works as a translator and letter writer at the market and befriends another girl who is also dressed as a boy. Her mother also secretly teaches girls and publishes a secret underground magazine for women as women are not allowed to be educated or work. This places them in great danger. For older readers about 11+.

4 ½ stars

Reviewed and rated by Ava

No gun for Asmir by Christobel Mattingley

There is a war raging in Bosnia and Asmir and his family have to hide in different places so they won’t get killed. They then have to escape and become refugees in Vienna. Asmir must also leave his father behind. Based on a true story.

4 ¼

Reviewed and rated by Simone

Life is beautiful by Roberto Benigni & Vincenzo Cerami

About a Jewish father and his son sent to a concentration camp during WW2. The father tries to pretend to his son that they are not in a concentration camp and protect him from the horror of the camp. The father ends up dying there.

3 stars

Reviewed and rated by Stephanie

Patterns of reading

The St Kilda Lightning Readers club had a discussion in October about patterns of reading and posed the question:

"Do you read a book to the end or do you stop if you’re not enjoying it?"

Jonathon – reads to the end –  "it’s ‘like a duty’"

Noah – reads to the end too – "one part may be bad but one part might be good"

Antonia – reads to the end of the 2nd last chapter – if that’s okay she keeps going but if it isn’t she puts it back on the shelf, but if it’s really bad straight away she will still read halfway through it before she gives up

Oliver – reads to the end – he feels like he has to finish

Max – "if I don’t like it I usually put it down for about 3 weeks then I might read it again or switch books"

Oriana – "if I don’t like a book halfway through then I pick up another book – then maybe I might pick it up again and somehow it is good again."

Lily – "if I don’t like what I’m reading I’ll skip ahead and if it gets better I will read it."

Book reviews from St Kilda - October

Reviewed by Jonathon:

Jack Flint and the dark ways by Joe Donnelly

This is the third book in the Jack Flint series. It’s about a boy called Jack who is in this world trying to find his father. Somebody is trying to kill Jack because Jack has a heart-stone which can open hell. Very exciting. Lots of action.

3.8 reallys

Reviewed by Oliver:

The Fall - 7th book in the Cherub series by Robert Muchamore

It’s about teenagers 17-18 years old, they are orphans. James Adams is the main character. He needs to find out who this person in Russia is who is selling secret weapons to the British Army. Plan goes awry and he has to get out of Russia alive.

4 reallys

Reviewed by Max:

The hunger games by Suzanne Collins

This is about a girl who is “really, really, really, really poor” and a boy in a bakery. When her dad dies the boy in the bakery helps her by giving her bread. The girl and the boy end up in “the hunger games”. Everyone has to kill each other and see who wins. The person who wins doesn’t have to do it anymore and gets really rich. It is all about survival but there is a lot of violence.

5 reallys




Reviewed by Noah:

Moldfinger: bk. 5, The disgusting adventures of Fleabag Monkeyface by Knife & Packer

Noah read the introduction for us which explains how Fleabag Monkeyface is created. This is about 3 boys Gerald, Gene and Fleabag, who are making the worlds biggest salad. The plot involves the growing of mouldy mushrooms and the 'dark character' Sir Godfrey. Noah said it’s a bit of a rip off from James Bond, eg. Moldfinger etc. There is romance, action and comedy.

5 reallys


Reviewed by Oriana:

Toby and the secrets of the tree: second book in the Toby alone series by Timothee de Fombelle

I liked it because it has adventures and risks. Toby ran away from people trying to catch him. Years later someone recognises him even though he was disguised as a ‘grass’ person. Toby tries to strike a deal the next night at midnight. He told the ‘grass’ people otherwise tiger (evil) would probably kill them. Toby leads them out to safety.

5 reallys


Reviewed by Antonia:

The mysterious Benedict Society and the perilous journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

I really liked it – it is very interesting. It is like a spy novel. Children go and become spies ‘cause there is a certain quality about them. – not the usual qualities like stealthiness or anything. They are not like typical spy people. When they’ve been kidnapped it is like mr benedict had a plan for them. I love the way they have set out the book.

4.85 reallys (it lost a few points because there was a little bit of a creepy bit at the start)

Reviewed by Lily:

Diamond girls by Jacqueline Wilson (her favourite author!)

They are moving at the start. Their mum keeps saying “it’s a really nice house”. The children don’t want to go. They are Rachelle, Jude, Martine and Dixie. Martine has a boyfriend who lives next door. Their mum is pregnant and they don’t want to go until she has had the baby. When they do move the house has rubbish everywhere. Someone has puked in the sink, ants and dirt cover the bathroom. They have to clean the house up. The back garden is like a forest.

Book reviews from the Albert Park club - September

The Albert Park club met on Monday, September 14 and here are their reviews.


Reviewed by Emma:

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

Emily starts swimming lessons at school & discovers she is a mermaid.  She is curious to test out her newly discovered ability so goes to sea where she can test it out further.  She really loves being a mermaid and goes on to a beauty and deportment school for mermaids.  She also makes a new mermaid friend.

Recommended for 9-11 yr olds.

5 stars plus bonus points for being a series

Reviewed by Ava:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Set in the future it is about children from different areas named “Districts” (District 1 to 12) who have their names (unwillingly) put into a lottery type system.  Those picked have go into training in survival and to kill or be killed.  It is a bit scary and gruesome but very exciting as well. 

It is definitely for the 'older' readers - 10 and over

5 stars

Reviewed by Riley:

The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French

Lady Lamorna wants a new robe and will do whatever it takes including magic to get it.  But Gracie Gillypot will try to stop her with the help of some interesting characters & creatures including some crazy bats a prince and a wicked step-sister. 

Recommended for 8-10 year olds.

4 ½ stars

Reviewed by Stephanie:

Dork Diaries by Rachel Russell

It is a female version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Nikki starts at a new school where she is bullied.  She does make 2 new friends & she is really good at drawing.  Soon she becomes really popular because she is so good at drawing.  The library has a drawing competition and she draws a tattoo design which is very popular.  Too popular!  There is also another popular girl who does not like Nikki being so liked by other kids.

Recommended for those 8+

3 ½ stars

Reviewed by Alex:

The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton

Frannie, Jo and Beth explore around the magic faraway tree.  They meet Moonface and Silky the Fairy and together they go and explore the different worlds up on top of the tree.

Recommended for those 7+

5 stars

Reviewed by Kerstin:

Halo by Zizou Corder

Set in Ancient Greece about a girl who is washed up on shore on a remote Greek Island. She is raised by a family of centaurs.  Her idyllic existence is abruptly ended when at aged 10 she is kidnapped by fishermen and sold into slavery. She escapes but realises to survive she must disguise herself as a boy.  Only a young Spartan warrior knows she is really a girl.  She has to fight for her survival; battling enemies and plague at every turn.  She is also on a quest to discover her true identity and her real parents.  The only clues she has is a tree-like tattoo on her forehead and an owl amulet around her neck.  It was a really gripping read and I couldn’t put it down, it was good to read a book with a strong female character.

Recommended for those 10+

5 stars

Read any of these? Leave a comment.

Got a review you want to see on the blog? Then why not email it to library@portphillip.vic.gov.au and we'll consider publishing it - just remember to put "Lightning readers book review" in the subject line and add your name to it!

Book reviews from the St Kilda club - September

The St Kilda Lightning Readers club met on Wednesday, 1st September and here are their reviews.

It was only a small group this month, and those present were: Lily, Joe, Noah, Oliver, Georgia.


Reviewed by Georgia:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

There are 3 books in the series and this is book 1.

It’s about a girl, Maggie, and her father, who both love books. He is a bookbinder. He has a book called Inkeheart. It is a 'flabby' book. He wants it. It is the only copy of the book left.

Georgia is taking the series to read on a 3 week holiday in Bali (lucky Georgia!)

Reviewed by Oliver:

The fall by Robert Muchamore

Oliver is reading the Cherub series by Robert Muchamore. He read the fourth one first and now he’s reading the seventh because "that’s how they came."

A group of kids from 10 to 17 are sort of spies who try and stop major criminal gangs in Jamaica. They try and stop things like drug traffickers.

"I don’t usually read spy books because I usually find them boring but this series is really good."

4 ½ reallys



Reviewed by Joe:

Joe is reading the Hardy Boys series – there are about 350 in the series, and he’s read about 30. The one he wants to talk about is called Feeding frenzy.

Two brothers, Frank and Joe, go on a mission and work for a spy agency – ATAC – American Teens Against Crime.

In Feeding frenzy there is a hotdog eating contest where a guy gets poisoned. Frank and Joe have to find out who is doing it, why they’re doing it, how they’re doing it and stop them. You find out at the end who did the poisoning and why. I REALLY recommend the books.

5 reallys



Reviewed by Noah:

Just Macbeth by Andy Griffith.

It’s about Andy and his best friend Danny. He has a crush on a girl called Lisa. He loves Lisa. He goes to a party and eats marshmellows called 'chubby bubbies.' He is doing a class play called Macbeth and he gets one of the parts of the 3 witches. They mix something in a blender and that makes them go back to past times.

Read any of these? Leave a comment.

Got a review you want to see on the blog? Then why not email it to library@portphillip.vic.gov.au and we'll consider publishing it - just remember to put "Lightning readers book review" in the subject line and add your name to it!